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As we progress through the study of
Revelation, we come upon the 4th letter that is addressed
to the Israelites of Thyatira. This passage that is to this body of believers (church), is the longest of the seven,
while at the same time this church was actually the
smallest. The city of Thyatira is just east of the city of Pergamos.
It was founded by Alexander the Great as a military garrison. Its primary founding purpose was to protect the city of Pergamos by delaying any invasion of
military forces that were marching toward the city. They
also are famous for worshiping Apollo.
The mineral content of the underground
water, enhanced many different colored fabrics by producing the
reddest reds and was most famous for their production of purple
garments. One such producer and retailer of purple garments from Thyatira, was a
woman named Lydia. Her story can be found in Acts 16:14-15.
As time progressed, Thyatira
became famous for craftsmanship and artisan work. The people of
the city practiced immorality through various public heathenism. The
Christians that lived in Thyatira, that both lived and worked there,
were expected to participate in such acts by compromising their faith in the rituals and festivities. As a result many did, and just as today there were many that were Christian in name only that lived there.
The message to Thyatira...
The Messiah introduces himself to the
members of the church as the one that has eyes like unto a flame and
feet that are like fine brass, showing refinement and judgement; Rev 2:18. Although this church may have been on the right
track on many things, there was some things that needed to be
addressed. The Messiah compared the men who compromised their faith
to Jezebel that practiced fornication and ate foods that were
sacrificed to idols; 1 Kings 21:1-16.
Although Jezebel had plenty of time to repent, she was utterly
destroyed for her sins: 2 Kings 9:33-35.
The reason this woman was mentioned to the church of
Thyatira was to illustrate that the Christians that have strayed from
their faith will eventually come to the same fate of Jezebel, if they
continue their present course.
In the book of Kings, Jezebel's wickedness only stopped when
she was thrown out of a window by her body guards to the horses below. When the horses
finished jumping up and down on her head, all they found was part of
her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands; 2Kings 9:35.
Rev 2:25 the Messiah tells the men of Thyatira to hold fast until he returns. This return of course, refers to the pretribulation secret rapture of Christians... wait a minute, your Bible doesn't mention the secret pre tribulation rapture here? Well, neither does mine. In fact the word “rapture” is not in the King James Bible at all. I mention this fact only for the reason to get people to think. This verse clearly states that Israel is going to rule with the Messiah when he returns to rule with a rod of Iron; V 26-27.
Rev 2:26
As Christian Israelites, the Bible promises us that we will have
tribulation to overcome, instead of being raptured out of the world at the last second as taught by all Judeo-Christian churches. Tribulation
is the testing of your faith, and is refinement to show how serious
your faith is to you. Israel is expected to be overcomers through
tribulation until the Messiah physically returns to reestablish his kingdom here
on earth. It's needless to say that Israel has done a lousy job of
maintaining his kingdom in his physical absence. Those who overcome and promote his kingdom
on earth, by practicing the Father's laws in their personal lives, will be given power to rule over cities and nations; 1 John 5:3-4. The word "Israel" means to rule with God, or to rule under God's laws. If you don't
even bother to make an attempt to keep his laws in your personal life now, you
definitely will not be given a position to rule over any others in God's kingdom.
Rev 2:28
The reference to the “morning star” that will be given to those who overcome, refers to the dawn of a new day, particularly the
beginning of the new day that begins the 1,000 years commonly called
the Millennial Kingdom; 2 Peter 3:8.
This thousand year period will be necessary to both restore the
earth and for the saints to learn the ways of God perfectly in their
preparation to take their proper place by helping the Messiah rule
from the throne of David; Isaiah 9:7. All of creation awaits for the return of the Lord, and
what a glorious day it will be!
For I reckon that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of
the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:18-19
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